Fighting games have no shortage of villains. These nefarious bunch of pugilists usually take pleasure in tormenting their opponents and have bigger plans up their sleeves. Oftentimes, these vile characters have crossed more than just the protagonists in their respective games on their way to seeing that their plans are fulfilled, and are the main target of all fighters to topple.
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From planning world domination, and concocting super weapons, to just seeing the world burn, these villains must be stopped at all costs. But that’s easier said than done since they can stand toe-to-toe with the best fighters. But who are the best fighting game villains?
8I-No (Guilty Gear)
Also known as the Hard Rock Witch, I-No is a staple in theGuilty Gearfranchisewho revels in making life miserable for humanity which she sees as beneath her. I-No has her agenda, and she is known to use her femininity to get what she wants: if she encounters irksome Gears who get in her way, she is more than able to throw down and give them a beating.
With her Duesenberg Starplayer II electric guitar and her control of magic, I-No can unleash devastating sonic attacks while dashing around the map. She is notorious for her rushdowns to overwhelm opponents: she has tricky overheads and projectiles to lock her opponent in place as she goes to unleash her combos.
7Jedah Dohma (Darkstalkers)
TheDarkstalkers / Vampire Saviorgamesare known for their monster and supernatural-based fighters. In a roster filled with scary monsters, it takes a lot to stand out, and Jedah Dohma is bad enough of a villain to do so.
Jedah is the youngest of the Makai High Nobles, a race of demons who rule over the Demon realm. He is constantly seeking power and being a shinigami, his power is reliant on how many souls he has consumed. He uses his blood and wings to attack enemies, usually transforming them into all manner of blades, scythes, and claws.
His goal is to assimilate all realms into one utopia where there is no conflict. While this sounds noble, take note that he intends to rule that world by absorbing all the souls into himself until he is the only one left.
6Hazama (BlazBlue)
One of the most devious acts villains employ is to act like a non-threat to the other fighters and strike at the exact moment when their plan has fallen according to their schemes. Hazama perfectly fits this mold: behind his calm and quiet demeanor hides a manipulative snake that holds unspeakable cruelty.
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Hazama is a sociopath who relishes physically and mentally torturing his enemies. He always wants to push his sociopathic tendencies to the limit whenever he fights, and once he unleashes his Snake Pair: Ouroboros spectral steel hooks on his hapless victims, it’s only a matter of time until he satisfies his urges, even for a moment.
5Nightmare (Soul Calibur)
TheSoul Caliburgames have theirfair share of villains: from the undead pirate Cervantes to the soul-sucking Soul Edge weapon. But the nod for the game’s best villain has to be Nightmare. The corrupted version of Siegfried has come a long way since his introduction to theSoul Edgegame decades ago.
Nightmare is the humanoid form of Soul Edge, who happens to wield the infamous weapon in a greatsword variant. He is clad in blue armor and has his signature right arm malformed into a demonic appendage that has three overgrown digits and claws.
His playstyle is hyper-aggressive and ruthless: he stops at nothing to absorb as many souls for Soul Edge and has shown his desire to subjugate and conquer the world.
4Geese Howard (Fatal Fury)
Most fighting game villains are designed to look like the big bad guy in their respective titles. Geese Howard is one such fighting game boss: he is the main villain in theFatal Furygames who killed the father of Terry and Andy Bogart. Geese heads a crime syndicate and is a more than capable fighter notorious for his defense and counterattack game. He is known for his Reppuken and Deadly Rave moves along with his Shinkuu Nage grab as well as his various Atemi counter stances.
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Fighting Geese is extremely frustrating, especially if players keep getting countered: once he gets an opening, he will deal massive damage. If that’s not enough, inTekken 7, if he finishes his combo with his Raimei Gouha Nage grab, he’ll mock his opponent with phrases like “pathetic” or “maggot”!
3Heihachi Mishima (Tekken)
TheTekkenseries has a slew ofmemorable fighters, but none are as iconic as the Mishima family. All four male members have seen their time as the big antagonist in variousTekkentitles, but Heihachi Mishima gets the top spot asthe best villain. He is the head of the Mishima Zaibatsu and is the one responsible for the King of Iron Fist Tournaments. Heihachi’s relationship with his son and grandson, Kazuya and Jin, respectively, revolves around the Devil Gene.
Heihachi did all he could to quell the Devil Gene since he couldn’t gain power for himself, even if it meant killing Kazuya. He might not win any Dad of the Year awards, but Heihachi couldn’t care less: he seeks ultimate power, and if he can’t get it, he’ll ensure no one will.
2M. Bison (Street Fighter)
As far as evil, maniacal dictators are concerned, M. Bison is not only the de facto villain but one of thebest characters inStreet Fighter. He commands his crime syndicate called Shadaloo and possesses the dreaded Psycho Power which he incorporates with his vicious attacks.
M. Bison seeks world domination and harnesses the Psycho Power. His nefarious deeds have led a ton of the Street Fighter roster to despise him: Chun-Li wants to avenge his father who died at the hands of M. Bison; Guile is after him for killing his best friend, Charlie Nash; even Ryu has had it with him since he keeps trying to capture and brainwash him with Psycho Power to become M. Bison’s ally.
With so many after his head, M. Bison is truly a detestable fighting game villain who needs to get his comeuppance sooner or later.
1Shao Kahn (Mortal Kombat)
The tyrannical former emperor of Outworld, Shao Kahn takes the top spot for the best villain in fighting games. He is the boss that Shang Tsung, the final boss in the firstMortal Kombatgame, answers to.
Shao Kahn is anextremely powerful fighterwho uses his strength and arcane knowledge to get an advantage and defeat anyone who stands in his way of conquest. He is notorious for his devastating shoulder tackle that goes through most enemy attacks, his trusty maul that he can throw and bludgeon his opponents with, as well as his iconic taunts while beating up enemies.
He haslaid waste to many realmsthanks to his army and ruthlessness to conquer. That said, his plans of ruling the Earth Realm have been thwarted by the likes of Liu Kang and Raiden, whom he considers to be his biggest rivals.
